Security Cooperation

We
are working
towards safe and stable South East Europe, part of the European and
wider security architecture, able to take care of its own security and
contribute to the security of Europe, supporting European and Euro-Atlantic integration
process of the region

Objectives

Prevention and countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters

Deradicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration of former FTFs (“returnees”)

Further development of cooperation and coordination of all specialised regional security cooperation formats

Result-oriented, aligned policy at regional and national levels in addressing security challenges in SEE

Support and promotion of confidence building measures, exchange of experience and sharing of best practices

Results

Developed the SEE Regional Platform on Countering Violent Extremism and Foreign Terrorist Fighters (CVE-FTF), established the Group of National Focal Points for CVE-FTF, and created a specialised P-CVE website , under the Platform

Created specific recommendations for countering terrorism and violent extremism in South East Europe, together with regional forces of law enforcement experts, public attorneys (prosecutors), academia and civil society

Produced a Study on “Initiatives to Prevent/Counter Violent Extremism in South East Europe”, mapping the existing CVE efforts in the region

Security Cooperation Video |

Security Cooperation brochure | 05 MAY 2017

The RCC will
continue its direct engagement and supporting role in regional security cooperation,
resulting in increased mutual trust and practical cooperation among the
regional participants. In this context, the specialised RCC-led regional
security cooperation formats, such as SEEMIC (South East Europe Military
Intelligence Chiefs’ Forum) and SEENSA (South East Europe National Authority
Chiefs’ Forum) will continue to be used as confidence building mechanisms and
networking frameworks, but even more so as tools for effective and timely
exchange of information relevant for national, regional, and European security.
The advantage of these two cooperation formats is that they bring together
participants from the wider SEE region.

In a broader
perspective, a timely identification of major security trends in the region
will be necessary, particularly to enhance formulation and fulfilment of
effective and coordinated regional and national responses to the traditional
and emerging security challenges. RCC will work to identify and explore
effective ways to address the gaps and unnecessary overlapping in regional
security cooperation.

Addressing the emerging security challenges in the region

Development and
implementation of effective and coordinated regional and national response to
radicalisation and violent extremism leading to terrorism and recruitment of
foreign terrorist fighters will be one of the most important regional security
priorities. The RCC will play a major role, both directly, through the actions
it will organise and lead, and as a coordinator of efforts in the region, first
and foremost through the functioning of the SEE Group of National Focal Points
for countering violent extremism under the RCC auspices. This is also a
cooperation platform that includes all RCC participants from SEE.

Illegal
migration and trafficking in human beings have always been a security
challenge. However, the massive migration crisis, with hundreds of thousands of
refugees and illegal migrants flooding large parts of SEE in 2015 only, took
the problem to a hitherto unprecedented level. The problem is common and
requires common regional response. In the forthcoming period, in the
coordination of the existing efforts, the RCC will provide support through
political dialogue and practical cooperation.

Continuous engagement of the region in
general and the RCC in particular in the broader European, Euro-Atlantic and
global security context will be done through consultations and cooperation with
the UN and its specialised agencies, the EU, NATO, OSCE, and other relevant actors.

Continue leading and enhancing specialised regional security cooperation formats for military intelligence and national security authorities

Produce a Study on rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorists and violent extremists and continue with raising awareness on the role of education system and civil society in prevention of radicalization

Support creation and implementation of efficient measures to address the youth as most vulnerable to radicalization

Within the framework of Western Balkans Counter-Terrorism Initiative (WBCTi) of the EU’s Integrative Internal Security Governance (IISG), we will:

Work more closely in regional security architecture with national government agencies; think tanks and academia; international and regional organisations and initiatives; non-governmental organisations, especially in P/CVE area

Maintain and further develop the existing regional security cooperation formats and structures in order to maximize results

Continue raising awareness throughout the region on the threats of violent extremism and radicalisation leading to terrorism and other common security challenges

Further develop its own Regional P/CVE-FTF Platform and accommodate to actual needs

Endorse creation of policies to respond to new security threats and challenges for the SEE, especially policies for youth and returnees